If you're like me, you've grown up hearing the verse John 3:16 till you can say it in your sleep. Even the average American has at least heard it before. But how many have truly meditated on what each part of the verse means...Christians included?
In this post, I'm going to break the verse down, and give some thoughts about each part...
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, ESV)
In this post, I'm going to break the verse down, and give some thoughts about each part...
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, ESV)
For God...
- This is the God of the Bible...the God who has revealed Himself to the world since the beginning of time...
- He has existed eternally, and will exist eternally...
- He created all things, and holds it all together (Col. 1:17)...from the tiny cells in our body to the biggest star in our vast universe...He holds it all in His hands...
- His proper name is Yahweh, which means the one who exists or causes. He is the one true God...
- The Greek word that this word is translated from has the idea of choice...God chooses to love...
- This love is pure...unfeigned...
- It's not marred like our love is by selfish human motives...
- The fact that God loved the world is astounding when you consider that most, if not all of the Old Testament spoke of God's love for Israel...
- God loves everyone in the world...Jew and Gentile (non-Jew) alike...
- Every tribe, tongue, and nation...
- This is not merely a sentimental love that doesn't act...God acts on this love by giving...
- This loves motivates our God to give Jesus...
- Jesus suffered and died in our place...this is one of the persons of the God-head...dying...wow!
- There is no distinction...
- All who come to Christ can find salvation if they believe...
- All...that means everyone who ever lived, will live or is currently living...the greatest sinner to the nicest person we can imagine (but even they're still a sinner)...the richest person to ever live to the poorest person...
- ALL can find salvation in Christ if they put their trust in Him!
- There has been death in the world since Adam brought sin into the world...
- Death is what we deserve because we all sin (Romans 3:23)...
- Jesus bore the wrath for our sins on the cross...He died a physical death...He then rose from the grave, conquering death, and He now lives with God eternally in heaven...
- When we believe in Jesus, we are identifying with Him in this...we too, like Him, will experience physical death, but we will live with Him eternally... (the older I get, the sweeter the truth of an eternity with Christ becomes)
- The Book of Revelation speaks of a day when He'll wipe away every tear from our eyes...we'll experience eternal joy and peace with God...
How do we respond?
Believe in Jesus...put your trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins!
Maybe you say, "I'm already a believer."
Great! Do you think the truth of this ends for you with that?
No! The truth of this verse should never become old to you!
Meditate on these truths...allow them to seep into your life...
Ultimately...go and tell those who haven't heard about it!
Comments
Thanks for the thoughts. It is one that if you will actually think about it instead of just saying it, it will speak volumes! I won't ever again! :D